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Tasmania's eye on full renewable energy by 2022, but work still to be done on securing supply

Tasmania's eye on full renewable energy by 2022, but work still to be done on securing supply

Recommendations from an energy security taskforce, set up in the wake of Tasmania's 2015 power crisis, will be fully implemented within months, with the State Government acknowledging the need for a more "conservative" approach.

"This framework makes it clear when (state-owned energy company) Hydro Tasmania can operate freely within its commercial interests and those occasions
where it needs to take increasing steps to redress/avoid energy security risks," the report said.

The previous Labor-Green government legislated a minimum dam storage level of 25 per cent to allow Hydro to maximise profits while the carbon tax was
in place.

After the energy crisis the Liberal government ordered a return to a minimum of 30 per cent.

"I don't think there's any doubt that its been important to adopt a more conservative approach," Energy Minister Matthew Groom said.

"The taskforce made their position on that clear very early on, and Hydro Tasmania have been operating under a more conservative dam storage arrangement."

Hydro Tasmania welcomed the recommendations as "robust and responsible", saying it was rebounding from the tough financial year of 2015/16 by restoring
profitability and reducing debt.